RESOURCES
Arc of the Emerald Coast
Arc of the Emerald Coast was founded in 1955 and is an affiliate of The Arc of the United States, the world’s largest grassroots advocacy organization for citizens of all ages with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities, and their families. Arc of the Emerald Coast works to include all children and adults with cognitive, intellectual, and developmental disabilities in every community. We focus on Abilities, respect, choice for all and encourage active citizenship and inclusion in every community. For more information please visit their website: http://arcemeraldcoast.org/
The Autism Society, the nation’s leading grassroots autism organization, exists to improve the lives of all affected by autism. We do this by increasing public awareness about the day-to-day issues faced by people on the spectrum, advocating for appropriate services for individuals across the lifespan, and providing the latest information regarding treatment, education, research and advocacy. For more information please visit their website: http://www.autism-society.org/
Autism Pensacola began serving Escambia and Santa Rosa counties in Northwest Florida in 2002. The non-profit association of parents, professionals and concerned community members is dedicated to supporting, advocating, educating, networking and providing hope for people affected by autism and related disorders of communication and behavior along the Gulf Coast. For more information please visit their website: http://www.autismpensacola.org
B.A.S.I.C.S.
BA.S.I.C.S. - Behavior Analysis Services In Community Settings, provides services to children and adults with Developmental Disabilities and Autism in the community - in home, school, etc. Services can include behavioral assessments, interventions; skills training in daily living, communication and social skills. We also provide parent training, training to direct care staff, teachers, or anyone that cares for children with special needs. BASICS is a provider for Tricare and Aenta insurances and we are located in the Pensacola area. For more infomration contact Pat Wheat, MS, BCBA, CMHP @ 850-572-6865 or email basics200858@gmail.com
Behavior Changes, LLC
Behavior Changes, LLC provides in-home, one-on-one ABA therapy and school consultation for children and young adults on the autism spectrum. Our goal is to provide services rendered by directly by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) or Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs) who are currently in graduate school for behavior analysis certification. We serve much of the Florida Panhandle including Pensacola, Gulf Breeze, Navarre, Milton, Crestview, and Fort Walton. We accept Tricare, BCBS, Cigna, United Health, Medicaid, and private pay.Steven Stout, Ph.D., BCBA-D Kristen Rodriguez, Ed.S., BCBA 5215 Dogwood DriveMilton, FL 32570 Phone: (850) 270-0640; Fax: (850) 564-1399 Email: behaviorchanges@outlook.comWeb: https://www.behaviorchanges.org
Located in Pensacola, BTEC provides one-on-one behavioral therapy based on Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) methodologies to children affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder. The certified behavior analysts at BTEC are committed to teaching functional skills in a nurturing, therapeutic environment aimed at developing and improving the quality of life for clients and their families. BTEC focuses on verbal behavior, reduction of problem behaviors, acquisition of appropriate social skills, classroom readiness skills, and empowering parents to become active participants in their child's development. BTEC is owned and operated by Lauri M. Turner, MA, BCBA. For more information please visit their website: www.btectherapy.com.
Beyond Expectations is owned and operated by Karen Reid, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. They have been in operation since January of 2009 and are currently providing ABA therapy for clients in the Ft. Walton Bch., Navarre, Crestview, and Destin areas. Services, including speech therapy, are provided to clients in a variety of settings including in home, at school, or at one of their two clinics in Ft Walton Beach or Crestview. For more information please visit their website: http://www.beyondexpectationsaba.com/ .
Development and growth of unbound potential, that is what BloomSpark is all about. A catalyst for development, BloomSpark provides high-quality Applied Behavior Analysis Treatment with integrity. It is our belief that we can be most effective by creating a fun and motivating environment for learning and through the use of naturalistic teaching procedures that incorporate a child's interests into the learning activities. For more information please visit their website: http://www.bloomspark.com/index.html .
Collaborative Autism Resources and Education (CARE), LLC
CARE provides in-home and community-based ABA programming to individuals on the autism spectrum and with other disabilities. Their highly qualified personnel (BCBAs, BCaBAs, and RBTs) are currently providing services in the Fort Walton Beach area. CARE also offers a variety of in-school training and consulting services across the US. For more information, visit their website: www.educatorscare.com; or call/email- 1-877-712-2735 / info@educatorscare.com .
Center for Autism Related Disabilities (CARD)
CARD offers training, support and resources to those who live or work with autism. They offer trainings on autism for parents and teachers and work closely with us on many projects. For more information please visit their website: http://www.florida-card.org/ .
Designing the Perfect Home Playroom for Children with Autism which has super-helpful information and tips on how to design an ideal play space in your home for children with autism. You can see it here: https://productdiggers.com/autism-playroom/
Development and Behavior Solutions
Development and Behavior Solutions is an ABA therapy clinic located in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. They provide ABA therapy for children and adolescents with autism and other learning or developmental challenges in clinic, at home, or other natural environment settings. The staff consists of experienced BCBA's, BCaBA's and highly trained therapists. For more information please contact Annette Peadro at 850-496-8550 or 850-226-6172 or visit their website: www.developmentbehaviorsolutions.com
Emerald Coast Autism Center
The Emerald Coast Autism Center (ECAC) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to educating and improving the lives of young children with autism in Okaloosa and Walton counties and surrounding areas. ECAC is unique in our approach to teaching these amazing children. All instruction and activities at the ECAC are conducted in a manner consistent with the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). For more information please visit their website: http://www.ecautismcenter.org/
The Emerald Coast Wellness Center is a behavioral health clinic located in Crestview, Florida. Our experienced team of doctors and staff are dedicated to providing compassionate care and the best treatment in a welcoming atmosphere. For more information please visit their website: http://www.emeraldcoastwellness.com/
Family Network on Disabilities of Florida
This program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) provides PTI services to the Panhandle of Florida from Escambia to Alachua County. Helping to ensure that parents of children with the full range of disabilities have the training and information they need to prepare their children for not only school, but to be able to lead productive, independent lives to the fullest extent possible. We are here to answer your questions and provide you with the information necessary to help you advocate for your child. Please call (727) 523-1130/Toll Free (800) 825-5736 or for more information please visit their website: http://fndusa.org/
Florida Diagnostic Learning & Resources System
This agency provides support to educators & parents, has a very good resource library, provides expertise in technology. First Saturday Series. 1st Sat. each month, training for parents. Check the website for more details. Parents are welcome to attend teacher trainings they offer on a space available basis. For more information please visit their website:
http://www.paec.org/
GAIN Behavior
This company's goal is to make ABA services more accessible and affordable for families and our services could be beneficial for those who do not live in areas with services. Services include: Applied behavior analysis (ABA), remote supervision, parent training, consultation and supervision, All Ages Accepted, All Geographic Regions State wide. Contact Leanne Simon via Email at info@gainbehavior.com or via phone at 845-521-5830. More information can e found at their web site: http://www.gainbehavior.com
Great Gains Behavioral Solutions
At Great Gains we are committed to the treatment of children and adolescents with special needs using empirically validated methods and strategies in order to assist each child and their family in reaching his or her greatest potential and improving their quality of life. All sessions are based on Skinner's analysis of Verbal Behavior and the methodology of Applied Behavior Analysis. We conduct treatment and interventions using a "whole therapy" approach and may run sessions within the clinic, school, community and home environments. Thank you! For more information please contact Samantha Buchanan, MS, BCBA, (850) 585-9189, via email sambuchanan@greatgainsaba.com or visit their website: http://www.greatgainsaba.com/
Kidz Korner Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Kidz Korner is focused on providing high-qualitytherapeutic interventions for you and your child- we will do everything we can to meet your expectations. Please explore our website for further information regarding serivces we can provide. We look forward to helping you and your family in any way we can! For more information please visit their website: http://www.kidzkornerot.com
Magnolia Pediatric Therapy
Magnolia Pediatric Therapy is a professional clinic specializing in the treatment of pediatric speech, language, feeding/swallowing, and fluency disorders. We take pride in offering an atmosphere where your child can benefit from one on one treatment sessions or a small group setting to enhance social skills. We have clinics in Fort Walton Beach, Destin, and Panama City Beach. For more information please visit their website: http://www.magnoliapediatrictherapyfl.com/
PBS Corp
Positive Behavior Supports, Corp. (PBS Corp), is the premier provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services across the state of Florida, including the Florida Panhandle. We specialize in providing behavior analysis services with a strong focus on positively impacting changes in quality of life. We are a comprehensive agency providing ABA services to individuals with Autism and other disabilities with behavior challenges and skill deficits that affect their ability to function effectively in home, school, and community environments. PBS Corp accepts all major insurances, including Medicaid, Children’s Medical Services and Tricare. In addition, PBS Corp is a Medwavier provider, servicing adults with intellectual disabilities. Services may range from consultation in the community and schools to comprehensive in-home ABA therapy. For more information please visit their website: https://www.teampbs.com .
Pediatric Therapy Center
Pediatric Therapy Center was established in 1991 as a provider of occupational, physical and speech therapy to children from birth to twenty one years of age. We serve children in clinic environments, child care centers, homes, and schools in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Escambia and Walton counties. PTC is a collaboration of Kids Talk Place, LLC, Little Hands Little Feet Therapy Services, LLC, and Pediatric Occupational Therapy, PA. For more information please visit their website: http://pediatrictherapycenterflorida.com/
Spectrum House
Spectrum House is a provider of ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy to individuals with ASD, ADHD, Down Syndrome, and other developmental disorders in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Walton Counties. We have seven clinics including two in Pensacola, one in Pace, Navarre, Crestview, Fort Walton Beach, and our newest clinic in Niceville. Spectrum House is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our children and families. Our commitment in the delivery of services is to act with compassion, work from a team approach, and provide what is in the best interest of every child and family. We best serve you through the combination of ABA with positive behavioral strategies. Our goal for each child is a more effective, independent and improved quality of life. To this end, we are committed to providing our professional staff with the highest level of training and supervision consistent with the cutting-edge technology and information of our field. Our families know we are committed to their well-being and individual needs. We pride our clinics specifically on ensuring a well-rounded approach is actively occurring within school, home, and all aspects of life. For more information please visit our website: http://www.spectrumhouse.org/
Turning Point Center
Turning Point Center is a Psychology group with three Clinical Psychologist who treat patients on an in office outpatient basis. Dr. James Tucker and team specialize in Autism Diagnosis and treatment as well as co-occurring disorders that often follow an Autism Diagnosis such as ADHD, ODD, OCD etc. Please contact Jamie Tillman at 850-243-8086 or via email: jamie@turningpointcenter.gccoxmail.com or visit their web site at http://www.turningpoint4u.com/ .
NOTEWORTHY LINKS
15 Behavior Strategies for Children on the Autism Spectrum: https://ibcces.org/blog/2016/07/15/behavior-strategies/
How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Kids with Disabilities: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/disability-friendly-backyard-for-kids/
For Educators: Strategies for Working With Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: http://blog.maketaketeach.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Strategies-for-Working-With-Children-with-ASD1.pdf
Helping Asperger’s Teens To Survive and Thrive: 15 Key Steps: http://www.psy-ed.com/wpblog/helping-aspergers-teens/
Learning to Drive with Autism - https://sellmax.com/driving-with-autism/
Creating a Home Atmosphere of Solitude to Help Cope with Adult Autism: https://www.redfin.com/blog/creating-a-home-atmosphere-to-help-cope-with-adult-autism
*From a Special Needs Educator* - information@specialhomeeducator.com
What about the “other” kids?
When I was a kid, my mom used to send me outside for hours at a time. I built forts and collected nature’s treasures and got more mosquito bites, scrapes, and bruises than I could count. I am happy to say that, though I do keep a closer eye on them than my own mom did, three of my four kids enjoy many of those same freedoms. But what about the “other” one?
Well, she is on the autism spectrum. While my daughter is smart, funny, and capable, her anxiety and lack of social awareness make it difficult to just “go play.” For years, she stayed inside when her sibling went outdoors unless her father or I could go with her. Then we did something that changed all of our lives: we fenced in the yard and got a dog. Within a few weeks, our daughter wanted to be outside with her new best friend every minute of the day. We saw her confidence increase, her mood improve, and her social skills improve. Even as a parent of a child with special needs who runs a blog on the subject, I never saw any research or ran across any resources about this part of parenting a child with special needs -- how small changes to your environment can help your child become more independent. Now that I’ve found these tips and tricks, I want to scream them from the rooftops! That’s why I’m adding them to my website, and I wanted to ask you to do the same.
Here are some of the articles I’ve found particularly useful:
-How Dogs Can Help People with ADD & ADHD: https://www.rover.com/blog/dogs-help-people-add-adhd/
-Benefits of Pet Ownership for Children with Special Needs: https://blog.brainbalancecenters.com/2014/09/benefits-pet-ownership-children-special-needs
How to Create a Backyard Sanctuary for Kids with Disabilities: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/disability-friendly-backyard-for-kids/
Outdoor Environments for Children with Autism and Special Needs: https://www.informedesign.org/_news/april_v09-p.pdf
Accommodations for Students with Autism
https://www.justgreatlawyers.com/students-with-autism
Guide to Better Sleep for Kids with Autism https://www.sleepjunkie.org/autism-and-sleep
Autism Resource Center
https://www.aacap.org/aacap/families_and_youth/resource_centers/autism_resource_center/home.aspx
Creating an Autism Friendly Home https://www.bigrentz.com/blog/sensory-friendly-home-modifications-autism-sensory-processing-disorder
Autism Support Network Resources
http://www.autismsupportnetwork.com/resources
Planning a Move with Autism
https://www.yourstoragefinder.com/moving-with-autism
30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month
https://praacticalaac.org/praactical/30-ways-to-celebrate-autism-awareness-month/
Autism and Travel
https://www.thezebra.com/traveling-autism/
The Full Guide to Flying with a Disability - https://www.parking4less.com/flying-with-a-disability/